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Passing Comments

28th August 1959, Page 40
28th August 1959
Page 40
Page 41
Page 40, 28th August 1959 — Passing Comments
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Road Transport Vital To Security

THE managing director of American Trucking Associa

tions, Mr. J. V. Lawrence, has stated before the American Government's Armed Services Committee that in the event of any future war in which the country might be engaged, main reliance must be on mechanical road transport. This was the only form of transport which did not require fixed installations of a complex nature, which might be neutralized as a result of enemy, action.

Motor vehicles, he said, could go anywhere, even off the road if necessary, and the only vulnerable portion of their right of way—the highways—was the bridges, but in these days emergency pontoon bridges could be thrown across the widest rivers within 24 hours.

There were now I Im. trucks using the country's 3m. miles of roads and streets—double the number employed in 1941. The majority was comprised of relatively light vehicles owned and operated by private carriers, and no other transport agency was capable of performing the services given, the continuance of which must be provided for in planning for any emergency.

The rapidly expanding economy of the country was such that, despite new trucks being bought at the rate of 900,000 per annum over the past 10 years, the average age of the whole fleet today was 7.2 years compared with 5.6 in 1941.

It was imperative, said Mr. Lawrence, that provision be made to keep the road transport industry supplied with equipment, including tyres, fuel, spare parts and other supplies, and manpower, because, if the country were attacked, it is probable that the main burden of domestic transport would fall upon the trucking industry.

The Sputnik's Remarkable Batteries

USERS of ordinary forms of battery, such as those employed in road vehicles, may well be envious of the results obtained with the solar batteries of the Russian Sputnik III. This artificial earth satellite completed 6,000 revolutions of the world on July 15, covering about 170m. miles. It was then still transmitting radio signals from batteries which had been functioning for 7,700 hours. By the same date chemical batteries had been working for some 2,500 hours. No doubt, however, such devices are extremely expensive.

Overrated?

'J THEREare many, and widely varying, views as to the 'HERE which should have been received by a man who is being considered for a position as an engineerdesigner. Scholastic standing alone is not always thought to be of primary importance. More attention may be paid to personality and the capacity to meet people on a common ground, self-projection, and the ability to express opinion clearly and concisely.

Academic rating may be no more an adequate measure of a man's potential worth to a company than are the tolerance limits of a particular production machine, which constitute only one factor of its value.

One authority on this matter has said; " Where are the top scholars 10 years after graduation? I cannot think of a single outstanding engineer of today who was among them, yet I can name a dozen average graduates whose achievements are a matter of record."

In a Light Vein

NOT long ago, when a local council was discussing the installation of a light in a bus shelter, a woman member suggested that this would be unfair to courting couples. Bus shelters are, however, supplied for the convenience of the travelling public, who might well object to being ousted from them, particularly in bad weather.

One might also think that street lighting would be welcomed by all, but a scheme for this in connection with a famous village was recently rejected by a vote of 62 against 32. Possibly this was because the cost was estimated to be the equivalent of a 3d. rate.

Brake Drums By the Million

THE Centrifuse brake drums of the Motor Wheel Corporation of America have a special interest in these days of demands for better braking. In their construction molten iron of special quality is fused into tough outer steel stampings, using centrifugal force. The internal surface is tested by profilometer after machining to ensure that it is held to a maximum of 0.125 micro-inch finish. It is claimed that over 100m. of these brake drums are in use for motor-vehicle and aircraft purposes.

-mined Cabs for America ?

,THOUGH motor spirit is comparatively cheap in America, certain important operators of taxicabs in a of the most populous cities are experimenting with !ngines for these vehicles, and several dozen, amongst some Perkins-engined Plymouths, are already in use. of the big men behind this step is Mr. W. Lansing Ischild, the president of the huge Yellow Cab concern. studied the subject extensively in Europe and came Le belief that they might well be successful on the other of the Atlantic.

-battle is being waged between interests on both sides. operator has remarked: " Buy diesels, or get out of ness," but there is a growing feeling that the taxi fleets Ornorrow will mostly have oil engines. Diesel fuel costs about 2 cents a gal. less than petrol, but it gives o twice the mileage, whilst it is claimed that mainrice costs are practically halved. One such cab in .oit has run 16,000 miles at an average fuel consumption of 19.2 m.p.g., and this without any expenditure on irs. Yellow Cab use about 7m. gal. of petrol a year, tat in this fleet alone there is scope for great saving.

iere has been some criticism that European oil engines slightly under-powered, and some drivers have raised tions to the more frequent changing of gears that is ssary in some cases.

igue Leads to Fatality

riew of the large number of tankers and other vehicles rrying combustible substances, there are remarkably serious accidents with them. This probably results careful maintenance, good driving and the precautions -eed by law.

The importance of all these factors is exemplified by a recent accident which occurred in America and is believed to have been caused by driver fatigue. The articulated vehicle concerned was carrying 5,600 gal. of petrol when it rammed a car parked at the kerb. The car was pushed for 96 ft. until both vehicles hit a building. Flames engulfed both tanker and building, and the property damage amounted to about £13,000.

This was not a matter of lack of experience on the part of the driver, for he had been 25 years on the road, but investigation showed that he had driven 490 miles during most of the preceding,24 hours with no opportunity of appreciable rest.

What is the Future of Fuels ?

THE Economics Department of Socony Mobil of America has been busy compiling a report on the development of fuels of all kinds. It is, of course, mainly interested in the future of petroleum, and whilst one expert

has said Nothing is certain, anything is possible and everything depends on everything else," it appears that the suppliers of oil need not be very worried for a considerable period.

The forecast given for 1968 for the supply of the energy needs of the U.S.A. in percentages is as follows: Oil, 43; natural gas, 29; coal, 24; hydro-electric power, 3; nuclear energy, I. No other fuel is expected to have any significant impact on the total consumption during the next 10 years.

Even if all of the public utility power plants Which today use oil were suddenly switched to atomic energy, the oil business would lose under 3 per cent, of its total sales.


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